amdame1's review
3.0
A demon takes over the body of a teenage boy. He must figure out how to use it - and once he does, he decides that he wants to know what sex feels like.
A fun/funny read. Could be a good sell for the right reluctant reader, especially male.
A fun/funny read. Could be a good sell for the right reluctant reader, especially male.
everydayreading's review
3.0
Cleverish, but not one I'd be recommending on the street corners or anything.
thisgrrlreads's review
3.0
There is almost no dialogue in this book! And, though you wouldn't know it to look at the cover, the first quarter of this book dwells on the demon's sensations in his new teenage male body, which, of course, means sex. And masturbation. Of course.
luaucow's review
3.0
I liked it, but I didn't love it. The beginning was a little slow. I understand that a demon or fallen angel might have a lot to reflect on, but I wasn't interested in hearing that. I just wanted to hear about the action. We got there though and that part was interesting.
danameow's review
3.0
The book was nice. When I now think about it, I really like it. It's just that I had pretty high expectations from it, and I really like the whole plot, I just think it could have been a whole lot better with a slightly different direction to it, maybe even darker.
That being said, I did like the book - the setting, the characters, the style and etc. I think it's a really nice book, and the author is great, but that it was sort of disappointing to find out it wasn't this cool and dark book about a demon who ran away from hell, but more like a young boy brought into the world and discovers it. Which, again, is really nice, just not what I was expecting.
That being said, I did like the book - the setting, the characters, the style and etc. I think it's a really nice book, and the author is great, but that it was sort of disappointing to find out it wasn't this cool and dark book about a demon who ran away from hell, but more like a young boy brought into the world and discovers it. Which, again, is really nice, just not what I was expecting.
bookishdea's review
3.0
I really liked the style. It wasn't what I was expecting at first, but I grew to like Kiriel. I liked his journey and how he learned what it was like on earth. I liked how he felt about things and I felt pretty sorry for him. Interesting characters, and a decent length.
brucefarrar's review
4.0
Kiriel, a demon, well, actually he prefers the term, “Fallen Angel,” tired of listening to the tedious whining regrets of the dammed decides to abandon his job. He leaves Hell; takes possession of Shaun, a bored but doomed seventeen-year-old, just before he’s about to step in front of an oncoming cement truck. Jerking the possessed body back out of harm’s way, Kiriel goes about trying to fit into the boy’s life while reveling in the delicious sensations of earthly existence. He’s so delighted with these (contrary to what you might have heard, High School really is a lot better than Hell) and so happy with his new state, that Shaun’s family and friends are startled by “Shaun’s” new and improved behavior and manners. But how long can the ruse go on?
aje9065a's review
4.0
it's speculative about each individual's larger role of the universe without being preachy. and it's funny, considering that a guy had to be possessed by a demon to go on a self-improvement kick.
overall a fun, fast read. and i fell for the androgynous creature on the cover, who looks like a teenage cousin of hellboy.
overall a fun, fast read. and i fell for the androgynous creature on the cover, who looks like a teenage cousin of hellboy.
sunsoar25's review
4.0
Kiriel, a Fallen Angel/ demon, whose purpose it is to reflect pain, suffering, and guilt of the sinners in Hell, decides to take a vacation and experience humanity. He does this by “borrowing” Shaun’s body a few seconds before he was supposed to die in an accident. Shaun was a high school slacker so this shift in personality is noticed so “Shaun” says he’s decided to change his ways. Kiriel expects the Boss will notice and pull him out at any time so he decides to experience as much as possible but knowing what he knows he decides to plant seeds to be remembered and help people either. When eventually collected by one of the Unfallen, he learns that he altered several lives for the better including Shaun. Shaun’s fate will be rewritten and he will survive the accident although he will be in a coma at first so he can hopefully choose to make better decisions. Themes explored in this story include the nature of humanity, sin, hope, freewill, and the concept of faith. Characterizations come from Kiriel’s awareness to the perceptions other have of “Shaun” so as one reads the more the characterizations are fleshed out.
The only complaint I have is that there is no prologue or epilogue to briefly detail the real Shaun’s life before and after Kiriel’s intervention. Similarly there is nothing afterward about Kiriel’s new outlook. I believe the new take on the Fallen, what we take for granted, and the interesting questions the themes bring to the surface would be appealing to teen readers. However some of Kiriel’s values and near constant questioning in the beginning may not appeal to all, while the resolution of these may become more appealing.
4Q 3P, J S
This cover would appeal and attract teens because it is relatively simple in the way that it elaborates on the title and visual clue to a main plot point. The colors and design are bold and eye-catching. On the other hand it may not appeal to some teens for the same reason due to genre styling.
2008 Michael L. Printz Award, Fantasy
[I needed to read and review this novel for a course and the above was my course review with voya codes and all.]
The only complaint I have is that there is no prologue or epilogue to briefly detail the real Shaun’s life before and after Kiriel’s intervention. Similarly there is nothing afterward about Kiriel’s new outlook. I believe the new take on the Fallen, what we take for granted, and the interesting questions the themes bring to the surface would be appealing to teen readers. However some of Kiriel’s values and near constant questioning in the beginning may not appeal to all, while the resolution of these may become more appealing.
4Q 3P, J S
This cover would appeal and attract teens because it is relatively simple in the way that it elaborates on the title and visual clue to a main plot point. The colors and design are bold and eye-catching. On the other hand it may not appeal to some teens for the same reason due to genre styling.
2008 Michael L. Printz Award, Fantasy
[I needed to read and review this novel for a course and the above was my course review with voya codes and all.]
djblock99's review
4.0
Very funny! A demon takes a vacation from Hell by borrowing a teenager's body. He has big plans for the body, including sex, but things don't work out quite as planned.